By Josh Bootsma
LANSING, Ill. (March 12, 2021) – On Thursday, Cook County opened applications for its Emergency Rental Assistance Program, a program designed to help renters that have been financially impacted by COVID-19. The program pays up to 12 months of missed rent and utility payments and up to three months of future rent payment.
Applications for the program are open now through April 2. Payments are made directly to a landlord or utility company.
Eligibility requirements
Applicants must:
- Live in suburban Cook County and rent their home (Landlords may apply for eligible tenants as well)
- Lack access to other support (not receiving other rental assistance, not living in public housing, etc.)
- Have proof of financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic
- Have a household annual income at or below certain requirements, which change by how many members an applicant has in his or her household. The list of income requirements is available here.
COVID hardship
A COVID-incurred hardship includes losing income, working shorter hours, being furloughed, quitting a job because of a high COVID risk and a need to stay isolated, and losing a job or hours to stay home to care for a child.
Additional information, including a checklist for application and the application itself, is available here.
